Harassed Hitzfeld in need of 'a miracle' if Swiss are to win at Wembley

Switzerland coach OttmarHitzfeld has admitted it willtake 'a small miracle' for hisbeleaguered side to get aresult against England atWembley on Saturday.

The German boss is underhuge pressure after a series ofpoor results in Euro 2012qualifying but has urged hisplayers to be inspired by theirWorld Cup group stage winover Spain 12 months ago.

Missing Swiss: The lack of Frei (left) and Streller (right) mean the visitors will lack potency at Wembley

Hitzfeld said: 'No one gave usa chance against Spain, but webeat them, so why can't we winin England?'

The difference now, though,is that Hitzfeld will be withoutAlex Frei (42 goals in 84matches) and Marco Streller(12 in 37), the Basel forwardswho retired from internationalfootball after growing fed upat the criticism levelled at theteam.

Switzerland have notrecovered from losing 1-0 toMontenegro last October.

Hopeful: Ottmar Hitzfeld has not given up on qualifying

Despite beating Wales 4-1after that, the team could only draw 0-0 with Bulgaria inMarch, which prompted thedouble retirement.

Hitzfeld isnow considering changing hissystem but has few options ina very young squad.

'We have some young guyscoming through,' he said.

But one editorial in the SwissPress said: 'His team have nocharisma, no passion, noconcept, and play uninspiredfootball. There is no identityfrom the coach and the teamhave developed not one bitunder Hitzfeld.'

After just four points fromtheir first four games,Switzerland's chances ofmaking Euro 2012 are slim -but the coach still wants hisplayers to believe.

'As long as there is amathematical chance, we haveto keep on going,' he said.'The hope has to carry onuntil the last of it has gone.'

Hitzfeld is contracted until2014 but a new generation ofimpressive young coaches hasdominated the Swiss top flightthis season.